Last Updated on October 20, 2023 by Carne Diem
Protein: 
Origin: African, South African
Method: Stovetop and Oven or Grill and Smoker
Jump to RecipeThis flavorful South African dish consists of seasoned ground beef with curry, mango chutney, herbs and spices, and raisins, and then topped with an egg custard and baked to perfection.
We were first introduced to South African bobotie at Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World and were instantly smitten with the dish. Thankfully this African-style quiche is super easy to make at home. This easy bobotie recipe can be ready in under an hour. Flavorful ground beef is seasoned with curry, mango chutney, raisins, and other herbs and spices, before being topped with an egg custard and then baked to perfection.
Table of contents
The Origin of Bobotie
Now considered the National Dish of South Africa, bobotie arrived in the Cape Malay community near the Cape of Good Hope in the 17th century. The basis of the dish is believed to have been derived from slaves brought to Africa from Indonesia and Malaysia by the Dutch East India Company. Today it is one of the most popular dishes in South Africa.
How to Make South African Bobotie
This easy bobotie recipe can be made in under an hour, most of which is baking time. To make the South African Bobotie you will need to make some flavorful curry spiced ground beef, and the egg topping. Then is goes into your oven for a quick bake.
Prepare the Curried Minced Beef
In a cast iron pan or skillet melt the butter over medium heat.
Remove the crust from the bread slices and tear the bread into small pieces. Soak the bread a small bowl with the ½ cup milk.
Saute the diced onion for 3-5 minutes, until soft then add the garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Add in the curry powder, turmeric, cumin, salt and pepper, and stir well to combine. Cook the onion with the curry and spices for about 1 minute. Next, add the beef, herbs, and raisins and cook until the ground beef is just cooked through.
Drain any fat and remove the meat mixture from the stove. Stir in the soaked bread and milk, chutney, lemon zest and 2 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir well to combine and break up the bread. Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and lemon juice as desired.
What is the best chutney for bobotie?
For this recipe we chose to use a Major Grey Chutney which is a mango chutney with lime juice, seasonings and raisins. We feel the flavors perfectly complement the bobotie recipe. Plain mango chutney may also be used to make the bobotie.
Layer the seasoned beef in a bake proof dish
We prefer to make the bobotie in a cast iron pan as it can go from the stovetop to the oven or smoker. If using a cast iron pan, smooth the meat mixture into a smooth layer in the pan. If you used a skillet that is not oven proof, spread the curried meat mixture into an oven safe dish. You want the meat mixture as flat as possible so the egg layer will sit evenly on top.
Making the Bobotie Egg Topping
To make the egg topping for the easy bobotie, mix together the eggs, heavy cream, ¼ cup of milk and salt and pepper, to taste, in a small bowl.
Evenly pour the egg mixture over the top of the seasoning beef mixture. Top with the Bay leaves.
Bake the Cast Iron Bobotie Casserole
Now it is time to bake your bobotie. Preheat your oven or smoker to 350 degrees. We have also cooked bobotie in our smoker which adds a great smoke flavor to the dish especially on a pellet smoker, but in the oven is more traditional. Both smoked bobotie and traditional bobotie turn out great.
Bake the bobotie for 20 minutes uncovered, then rotate 180 degrees and bake an additional 20 minutes or until the egg topping is set and lightly browned.
Be sure to check out our ever-growing list of African recipes:
- South African Sosaties: Lamb and Apricot Kebabs
- Nigerian Party Rice: Wood Fired Jollof Rice
- Bunny Chow: South African Durban Style Chicken Curry
- Ground Nut (Peanut) Stew
- Moroccan Tagine Style Chicken and Olives
Extra eggs? Here is a list of some of our favorite recipes to use up those extra eggs:
- RumChata French Toast
- St. Louis Slinger
- Authentic Mexican Migas: Mexican Breakfast Skillet
- Flat Top Chicken Fried Rice
- Breakfast Pastrami Hash
- Traditional Turkish Pide: Turkish Flatbread Pizza
What to serve with South African Bobotie
Bobotie can be eaten on its own, but is traditionally served with sliced bananas, additional raisins, yellow rice, and additional chutney. Leftover bobotie should be refrigerated and eaten within 2 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bobotie is a South African dish and is now considered the National dish of South Africa.
No, bobotie is not typically a spicy dish. It is flavorful and slightly sweet.
Leftover bobotie should be covered and refrigerated. Leftovers should be consumed within 3 days.
Bobotie is best reheated in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
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📖 Recipe
South African Bobotie
Equipment
- Cast iron pan or oven safe dish
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 1 Yellow Onion diced
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 Garlic Cloves minced
- 2 slices White Bread
- ½ Cup Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Curry Powder
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric
- ½ teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- ½ teaspoon Marjoram
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ⅓ Cup Major Grey Chutney
- 2 Tablespoons Raisins
- 1 Lemon Juiced and zested
Egg Custard Topping
- 2 Eggs
- ¼ Cup Heavy Cream
- ¼ Cup Milk
- 3 Bay Leaves
- Salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a cast iron pan or skillet melt the butter over medium heat.
- Remove the crust from the bread slices and tear the bread into small pieces. Soak the bread a small bowl with the ½ cup milk.
- Saute the diced onion for 3-5 minutes, until soft then add the garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add in the curry powder, turmeric, cumin, salt and pepper, and stir well to combine. Cook for about 1 minute.
- Add the beef, herbs, and raisins and cook until the ground beef is just cooked through. Drain any fat and remove the meat mixture from the stove. Stir in the soaked bread and milk, chutney, lemon zest and 2 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir well to combine and break up the bread.
- Taste and adjust the salt, pepper, and lemon juice as desired.
- If using a cast iron pan, smooth the meat mixture into a smooth layer in the pan, or if you used a skillet that is not oven proof, spread the curried meat mixture into an oven safe dish.
- Preheat your oven or smoker to 350 degrees.
- Mix together the eggs, heavy cream, ¼ cup of milk and salt and pepper, to taste, in a small bowl. Evenly pour the egg mixture over the top of the seasoning beef mixture. Top with the Bay leaves.
- Bake the bobotie for 20 minutes uncovered, then rotate 180 degrees and bake an additional 20 minutes or until the egg topping is set and lightly browned.
Nutrition
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